Calgary is experiencing a significant population boom, driven by a wave of interprovincial migration that is reshaping the city's business landscape. According to recent data, Alberta added nearly 13,000 residents from other provinces in the first half of 2025, with Calgary emerging as the primary destination for newcomers seeking economic opportunities and a lower cost of living.
Moving Industry Thrives on Influx of New Residents
Dan Korchounov, founder of Navy Seal Transport, launched his moving company a decade ago with a focus on local relocations within Calgary. Today, his business has expanded beyond Alberta's borders, primarily serving families moving to the city from Ontario and Quebec. Korchounov notes that more than half of his clients cite Calgary's affordable living and robust job market as key factors in their decision to relocate.
U-Haul Data Confirms Migration Trends
U-Haul, a do-it-yourself moving franchise, reports that Calgary has been its fastest-growing Canadian destination for three consecutive years. The company's growth index, which tracks net one-way rentals, revealed that 51% of one-way traffic in 2025 involved customers arriving in Calgary, a seven percentage point increase from 2024. Edmonton and Lethbridge also ranked high on the index, at fifth and 17th places respectively.
Razmin Mansoub, vice-president for Western Canada at U-Haul, attributes this trend to Alberta's strong job market, lower cost of living, competitive wages, and abundant outdoor recreation options. These factors have made the province an attractive alternative to more expensive regions like Ontario and British Columbia.
Real Estate Market Adjusts to Population Growth
The Canadian Real Estate Association's national price map indicates that in December 2025, Alberta's average housing prices were approximately two-thirds of those in Ontario and nearly half of British Columbia's prices. This affordability gap has been a major draw for interprovincial migrants.
Despite expectations that migration trends will slow in 2026, the Calgary Real Estate Board forecasts that stable employment and lower interest rates will maintain balanced home sales throughout the year. The board predicts population growth of 1.3% in 2026, down from 3% in 2025, including about 8,000 international migrants and 6,200 newcomers from other provinces.
Housing Supply and Sales Trends
Much of the new housing supply in Calgary will consist of apartment-style rental and ownership units, according to CREB. In 2025, detached home sales reached over 11,300, a nearly 9% decrease from the previous year. Total residential sales were 22,752, down from approximately 27,000 in the preceding two years.
Korchounov observes that no single demographic dominates the migration wave. His company has assisted a diverse range of clients, including post-secondary students, Canadians relocating for work, immigrants building new lives, and others moving into and out of the city.
This ongoing population surge underscores Calgary's growing appeal as a hub for economic opportunity and affordable living, with businesses like Navy Seal Transport and U-Haul reaping the benefits of this interprovincial migration trend.
